BLOG TOUR: A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Canary Street Press and Candace Camp for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A Rogue At Stonecliffe (Stonecliffe #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Published by: Canary Street Press

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads         Amazon

 

Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp invites you back to Stonecliffe, where an unwelcome reunion between a lady and a rogue calls up old feelings…and new dangers.

When the love of her life left without any explanation, Annabeth Winfield moved on despairingly, knowing she’d never have a love as thrilling as her first ever again. Sloane Rutherford was roguish and daring, but as Annabeth grew up, she realized that their reckless romance was just a passing adventure, never meant for stability. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to someone new, ready to start her life with a dependable man.

That’s when Sloane returns. And he brings with him a serious warning: Annabeth is in trouble.

After spending the past dozen years working as a spy, Sloane thought he’d left espionage behind him. But now a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth. Sloane offers to hide his former lover at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate, but stubborn Annabeth demands to be part of the investigation. As the two embark on a dangerous and exciting journey, memories of their past romance resurface. Sloane and Annabeth aren’t the wide-eyed children they used to be, but knowing they’re wrong for each other makes a nostalgic affair seem very right… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one! I'm always a sucker for Rogues, Spies, and Second Chance Romances.

I liked some of the banter between Annabeth and Sloane. It was a good time watching them rekindle their romance mixed with the danger of a blackmailer.

This is the second book in the series, and I probably need to go back and read the first.

I could see a lot of people enjoying this one.

Candace Camp is the NY Times best-selling author of over 70 novels, including A Momentary Marriage and the popular Mad Moreland series (which now encompasses a not-so-small portion of that 70). Candace wrote her first novel while in law school. The experience taught her two things: 1. She can write even surrounded by towers of textbooks tall enough to crush her to death if there were an earthquake. 2. The only kind of tort she has any interest in is the kind that comes after the word chocolate and has an E on the end. So after Candace sold her first book, she happily gave up lawyer-ing to pursue her lifelong dream of writing. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Pete Hopcus. Her daughter is author Anastasia Hopcus.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp! Thank you to Canary Street Press and Candace Camp for letting me be a part of the tour. This is the perfect book to add to your TBR.

BLOG TOUR: The Night It Ended by Katie Garner

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Night It Ended by Katie Garner! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Katie Garner for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: The Night It Ended 

Author: Katie Garner

Published by: MIRA

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Finding the truth seems impossible when her own dark past has her seeing lies everywhere she looks…

From the outside, criminal psychiatrist Dr. Madeline Pine’s life appears picture-perfect—she has a beautiful family, a successful mental health practice, and a growing reputation as an expert in female violence. But when she's called to help investigate a mysterious death at a boarding school for troubled teenage girls, Madeline hesitates. She’s been through tragic cases before, and the one she was entangled in last year nearly destroyed her…

Yet she can’t turn away when she hears about Charley Ridley. After Charley was found barefoot and in pajamas at the bottom of an icy ravine on campus, the police ruled her death a tragic accident. But the private investigator hired by her mother has his doubts. If it were Madeline’s daughter who died, she’d want to know why.

Arriving at the secluded campus in upstate New York, Madeline’s met by an unhelpful skeleton staff and the four other students staying on campus during winter break. Each seems to hold a piece of the puzzle. And everyone has secrets—Madeline included. But who would kill to protect them?

This stunning suspense debut is told with a narrative that intertwines with the transcript of an anonymous interview, beginning a twisting path where nothing—and no one—is what it seems. It’s sure to appeal to readers of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley—fans of locked room mysteries and jaw-dropping twists. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a great one to try and figure out. Mystery/Thrillers are so much fun for me to read. I loved the isolated setting of the boarding school in this one. It's got a gothic feel that is great for a creepy atmosphere.

The main focus of this novel does revolve around our good Doctor of Madeline Pine. Her story kind of overtakes the death investigation. I really liked discovering Dr. Pine's story though.

This had a lot of fun twists and turns. I was never sure where it was going to go.

This was a great debut, and I can't wait to read more from Katie Garner.

Katie Garner was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. She has a degree in Art History from Ramapo College and is certified to teach high school Art. She hoards paperbacks, coffee mugs, and dog toys and can be seen holding at least one of those things most of the time. Katie lives in a New Jersey river town with her husband, baby boy, and shih-poo where she writes books about women and their dark, secret selves. The Night It Ended is her debut novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Night It Ended by Katie Garner! Thank you to MIRA and Katie Garner for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely a fun one you should add to your TBR!

BLOG TOUR: Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Heather Graham for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Whispers At Dusk (The Blackbird Trilogy #1)

Author: Heather Graham

Published by: MIRA

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Amazon 

 

Synopsis: When darkness falls, there’s nowhere to hide.

Four bodies have been discovered along Europe’s riverbanks, placed with care—and completely drained of blood. Pinpricks on their throats indicate a slender murder weapon, but DNA found in the wounds suggests something far more sinister. Tasked with investigating, the FBI recruits Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter to Blackbird, an international offshoot of the Krewe of Hunters. If you want to catch a vampire killer, you need agents who can speak with the dead.  

The pair travel to Norway, where the shadowy forests of Lillehammer reveal a gruesome scene. The killer is thirsty for more victims, and the bloodless trail soon leads Della and Mason to a group that believes drinking blood is the key to immortality. To catch the culprit of such an intimate crime, the agents will have to get close. Mason’s already lost one partner; he’s not ready to risk Della as bait. But sometimes justice requires a sacrifice… (Synopsis from Amazon)

 

My Thoughts: I always enjoy Heather Graham's stuff, and Whispers At Dusk was no exception. I was really excited to start another series by her. This is connected to her Krewe Hunters Series.

I had a good time reading this. I love a mystery. It had the danger and excitement that I craved. 

I think if you're already a fan of Heather Graham, this is one you should definitely get. If you're new to Heather Graham, you should definitely try out her stuff. It's fun.

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than a hundred novels. She's a winner of the RWA's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thriller Writers' Silver Bullet. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America. For more information, check out her websites: TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com, eHeatherGraham.com, and HeatherGraham.tv. You can also find Heather on Facebook.

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham! Thank you to MIRA and Heather Graham for letting me be a part of the tour. Heather Graham is always an easy add to the TBR.

Review: Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

 

Title: Wild and Wicked Things

Author: Francesca May

Published by: Redhook

Released: March 29, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher through Netgalley/ Physical Copy Borrowed from Library

Goodreads          Amazon

Synopsis: In the aftermath of World War I, a naive woman is swept into a glittering world filled with dark magic, romance, and murder in this lush and decadent debut.

On Crow Island, people whisper, real magic lurks just below the surface. 

Neither real magic nor faux magic interests Annie Mason. Not after it stole her future. She’s only on the island to settle her late father’s estate and, hopefully, reconnect with her long-absent best friend, Beatrice, who fled their dreary lives for a more glamorous one. 

Yet Crow Island is brimming with temptation, and the biggest one may be her enigmatic new neighbor. 

Mysterious and alluring, Emmeline Delacroix is a figure shadowed by rumors of witchcraft. And when Annie witnesses a confrontation between Bea and Emmeline at one of the island's extravagant parties, she is drawn into a glittering, haunted world. A world where the boundaries of wickedness are tested, and the cost of illicit magic might be death. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks to them (Redhook) for letting me read it!

Triggers for: death, sexual abuse, violence, spousal abuse

I did not have a good time with this one. I had high hopes, I wanted only good things, but this book and I did not click.
I had a hard time connecting and being interested in the characters and story. They made some of the worst decisions, and then didn't act like they did anything wrong, or that anything was their fault. I'm looking at you Annie and Bea!
Bea's husband is abusive, which is bad, but he is a victim in this. I won't say why because spoilers, but I could understand why he was mad. Bea doesn't see anything wrong with her decisions, which I can't understand. Annie is kind of an idiot. She reacts to something without thinking, she knows she did something not great, but she doesn't think any of it is her fault. She'd probably do it again. They just annoyed me so much.

This book was way longer than it needed to be. There was a lot of space where just nothing was happening.
It has an awful case of insta-love with Emmeline and Annie. They've known each other two weeks, maybe less, and suddenly they are everything to each other. Blech. And the romance stuff was just very messy because at one point Emmeline liked Bea.
Annie needed to focus on what she actually came to the island for, which was to settle her dad's estate. Maybe, if she had looked into who her dad was, she could have figured things out sooner. I just did not like her.
This book was also so melodramatic in an annoying way. All the problems that these characters are having is because they created them. I don't feel bad for them. I do feel a little bad for two of the characters, because they had no part in these antics, but they still had to suffer the consequences.
If I was a dnf'er, I would have stopped reading this one. It's not worth it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 2/5

BLOG TOUR: Remember Me by Mary Balogh

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Remember Me by Mary Balogh! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thank you to Berkley and Mary Balogh for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Remember Me (Ravenswood #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 20, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Can Lady Philippa Ware forgive the man who once shattered all her youthful dreams? Discover the passionate and heartwarming new novel on the redemptive power of love from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.

Philippa, elder daughter of the Earl of Stratton, grew up eagerly anticipating a glittering debut and a brilliant marriage. Then her brother caught their father out in a clandestine affair and denounced him publicly. The whole family was disgraced, and Philippa’s hopes grew dim, then were fully shattered when she overheard the dashing, handsome Marquess of Roath viciously insult her upon learning of her father’s identity. Only years later does Philippa find the courage to go to London at last to meet the ton . She is an instant success and enjoys a close friendship with the granddaughter of a duke. Only one man can spoil everything for her, but surely he will not be in London this year.

The Duke of Wilby is nearing death and has tasked his grandson and heir, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, with marrying and producing a son before it is too late. Lucas, who usually shuns London, goes there early in the Season in the hope of finding an eligible bride before his grandparents come and find one for him. He is instantly attracted to his sister’s new friend, until that young lady asks a simple question: “Remember me?” And suddenly he does remember her, as well as the reason why the daughter of the Earl of Stratton is the one woman he can never marry—even if his heart tells him she is the only woman he wants.

Unfortunately for Philippa and Lucas, the autocratic duke and his duchess have other ideas and believe them to be perfect for each other. They will simply not take no for an answer. Telling Philippa the full truth is the hardest thing Lucas has ever faced, and the discovery of it will change them both before they discover the healing power of love. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love Regency Romance! Dukes, Duchesses, Balls, and the Ton! All of it is so fun to read. I've also read from Mary Balogh before and have always enjoyed her stuff.

Remember Me was just what I wanted it to be. I was sold from the synopsis and the drama between Philippa and Lucas was just so fun.

If you're a fan of Regency Romance, you should definitely add this one to your tbr.

 Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Remember Me by Mary Balogh! Thank you to Berkley and Mary Balogh for letting me be a part of the tour. I don't think you can go wrong with historical romance.

BLOG TOUR: A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Anna Lee Huber for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A Fatal Illusion (Lady Darby Mystery #11)

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 20, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: New parents Lady Kiera Darby and Sebastian Gage look forward to introducing Sebastian’s father to his granddaughter, but instead find themselves investigating an attempt on his life...

Yorkshire, England. August 1832. Relations between Sebastian Gage and his father have never been easy, especially since the discovery that Lord Gage has been concealing the existence of an illegitimate son. But when Lord Gage is nearly fatally attacked on a journey to Scotland, Sebastian and Kiera race to his side. Given the tumult over the recent passage of the Reform Bill and the Anatomy Act, in which Lord Gage played a part, Sebastian wonders if the attack could be politically motivated.

But something suspicious is afoot in the sleepy village where Lord Gage is being cared for. The townspeople treat Sebastian and Kiera with hostility when it becomes clear they intend to investigate, and rumors of mysterious disappearances and highway robberies plague the area. Lord Gage’s survival is far from assured, and Sebastian and Kiera must scramble to make the pieces fit before a second attempt at murder is more successful than the first. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I'm always ready for a historical mystery, or mysteries in general. I also really enjoy book series where you can follow the journey of the detective as they solve the mysteries. The Lady Darby Mysteries hit all the right notes for me. I had a lot of fun reading this. I would like to go back to the start of the series and read them all through.

This mystery hits close to home for Lady Darby, it involves family being in danger.

This was really entertaining to follow. The villain was definitely not what I would have ever figured out, but I'm bad at figuring out things sometimes.

I can see a lot of mystery lovers enjoying this one.

Photo by: Shanon Aycock

 Anna Lee Huber is the Daphne Award–winning author of the national bestselling Lady Darby Mysteries and the Verity Kent Mysteries. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on her next novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber! Thanks so much to Berkley and Anna Lee Huber for letting me be a part of the tour. If historical mysteries are your thing, you definitely need to give this one a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Kelly Rimmer for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: The Paris Agent

Author: Kelly Rimmer

Published by: Graydon House

Released: July 11, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: 1970—In the aftermath of his war-ravaged past, Noah Ainsworth is still haunted by memories of his time as a fearless British operative in France. But a critical head injury left Noah with frustrating memory gaps and a burning question that plagues him—who was the agent who saved his life during that tragic final mission?

Determined to find answers, Noah's daughter Charlotte embarks on a quest from their cozy home in Liverpool, leading her to the incredible lives of two ordinary women—Chloe and Fleur—who transformed into fearless spies on foreign soil. But as Charlotte unravels the heroic exploits of these women and their connection to Noah, she inadvertently stumbles upon evidence of a double agent lurking disturbingly close to home, drawing her into a treacherous web of secrets and unearthing a shocking story from those final days of the war.

Once again, Kelly Rimmer takes readers on a gripping journey, one that threads the lives of two remarkable women into the fabric of history, unveiling the power of courage, family and the indelible mark left by the darkest era of human conflict. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I liked it! This one is definitely an enjoyable read. I like mixing historical fiction into my reading life, because I enjoy experiencing glimpses into the past. I feel like I learn things in a fun way.

I could definitely see a lot of people enjoying this one. It's written in dual timelines, which is fun. Charlotte is determined to solve the mystery of who saved her dad's life during the war. I really liked that aspect of a daughter discovering what her father lived through. Family histories can be such an enthralling subject, which is what Charlotte discovers when she takes on this case.

I just really enjoyed going back and forth through time, learning about Chloe and Fleur. This kept my attention, and I didn't want to put the book down.

 Kelly Rimmer is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Secret Daughter and The Things We Cannot Say. Her books have sold more than one million copies, and have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. Kelly lives in rural Australia with her family and fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer. Thank you to Graydon House and Kelly Rimmer for letting me be a part of the tour. This is a good book!